69 survivors, 71 bodies recovered in first few days of MV Barima response — COI hears

What this source establishes

Coast Guard and GDF witnesses described the initial response and testified that 69 survivors and 71 bodies were recovered between 19 and 22 July. Their testimony adds operational timestamps and differs from the contemporaneous official tally of 73 bodies; the discrepancy is not resolved by this report.

Key claims

• A Coast Guard officer testified that he received a readiness message at 10:59 p.m. and coordinates at 11:07 p.m. on 18 July.
• A MARAD pilot vessel arrived at the Pomeroon base around 7:30 a.m. on 19 July carrying 50 survivors and one deceased person, according to testimony.
• The witness’s 71-body figure for the first days differs from the 73 reported in official releases; it should not be treated as a revised final total without clarification.

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